Is Coffee Good for You? Here Are 5 Health Benefits of Coffee

One of the biggest reasons people drink coffee is for its ability to boost cognitive function, or in other words, get shit done. The caffeine in coffee is a natural stimulant that can help improve mental alertness and concentration. From improving memory and reaction time to even reducing the risk of developing conditions like dementia, caffeine can improve overall cognitive functions.

Whether it’s a cup as soon as you wake up or the one before you head to the gym, the caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant to your central nervous system and can boost energy levels. Along with boosting energy, caffeine can also reduce fatigue and improve alertness after sleep deprivation, as anyone who has pulled an all-nighter would know.

Coffee contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can improve the health of your heart and blood vessels. Drinking coffee could also potentially lower the risk of developing heart disease, however, research tends to be mixed. 

Research has found that regular coffee consumption may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because coffee contains compounds that can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which are two key factors in the development of the disease.

Okay while many say coffee promotes weight loss and will help you attain your weight goals, a lot more research needs to be done. However, coffee on its own is a low-calorie/zero-calorie drink, making it a great alternative to high-caloric drinks. Some say that coffee also boosts metabolism, but again, not enough studies have been done.

While enjoying a cup of coffee certainly comes with its benefits, there are a few things you should keep in mind. It’s really important to remember though, these benefits are minuscule and you must maintain a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet to experience them. 

When drinking coffee you should limit yourself to 4 - 5 cups a day and the FDA advises that adults consume no more than 400mg of caffeine daily. However, if you’re pregnant, under the age of 12, and are highly sensitive to caffeine, it’s recommended that you avoid drinking coffee. 

Another important thing to remember is that the caffeine content of each cup of coffee varies greatly. A recent study by Which? shows that the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee differentiates so greatly between different coffee shops, that you could have your recommended daily total of caffeine in just one cup! 

Continually, the coffee bean used also affects the potency of caffeine per cup. For instance, most coffee chains use arabica beans in their blends and these aren’t as strong as robusta beans. The latter is what’s used when making Vietnamese iced coffee, which is why it’s so strong.